Natgraph manufactures a range of Air Force IR Glass Dryers for drying ceramic inks on glass. The dryers use infrared radiation and hot air to dry inks quickly. They have modular construction for flexibility and can process glass from 0.6mm to 24mm thick. The dryers feature PLC control systems and options like cooling modules, transport systems, and extraction modules to adapt to different production needs.

1. EQUIPMENT SOLUTIONS
Air Force IR Glass Dryers
stencil processing
screen printing
air force
ultra violet
infra red
Natgraph manufacture a range of Air Force from 0.6mm through to 24mm thick and
IR Glass Dryers that has been developed up to 3m wide. This glass is used in
from years of experience gained in the the automotive, architectural, domestic
production of 100’s of IR High Temperature appliance, solar energy, electronic display
Conveyorised Systems, that are in world- and furniture industries. Whatever the
wide daily use. These versatile dryers requirement for drying ceramic inks onto
have the ability to dry typically ‘slow’ glass, Natgraph have a solution.
pine oil and water miscible inks using a
With 5 standard belt widths, Touch Screen
combination of Infra Red radiation with Hot
PLC Control System, 4 layouts, combined
Air and ambient or refrigerated air cooling
Hot Air/IR lamp systems, double sided
from above and below.
cooling, special transport systems and
These dryers have been designed, modular design, this range of dryers is
developed and manufactured for drying extremely adaptable, versatile and efficient.
surface coatings applied to glass products
Air Force IR Glass Dryers Cooling Modules
Drying Modules Transport Systems
Extraction Modules
Natgraph Limited, Dabell Avenue, Blenheim Industrial Estate, Nottingham NG6 8WA, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)115 979 5800 Fax: +44 (0)115 979 5700 sales@natgraph.co.uk. www.natgraph.co.uk

2. Air Force IR Glass Dryers
Air Force IR Glass Dryers
Features
• Touch Screen, PLC Control System • Modular construction
• High temperature operation, optionally • Steel bar or P.T.F.E. coated fibre glass
up to 200°C mesh transport systems
• 16 medium wave IR lamps per 2m • Castors & jacking feet
module • Colour coded to industry standards
• High efficiency vented stainless steel • Optional recirculation filters
reflectors
• Optional inlet filter
Infra Red lamps and • Gas filled hood lifting arms
air nozzles
• Optional thyristor control
The Natgraph range of Air Force IR Glass Dryers line requirements. A combination of IR/Hot Air,
is available in 5 belt widths from 70cm through to with extra Hot Air, Extraction, Ambient Cooling or
260cm, with a comprehensive selection of module Refrigerated Cooling Modules, make these dryers
types available depending upon the production extremely adaptable.
Optimum Dryer Design
The solvents contained in ceramic inks are commonly • Ink type
pine oil based and so, very slow to force dry. Also
the glass can be up to 24mm thick, thus forming • Ink layer thickness
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a massive ‘heat sink’ below the ink, absorbing the • Line speed
energy that is needed to accelerate the evaporation
of solvents. • Maximum glass thickness
• Maximum & minimum glass sizes
When Natgraph configures the specification of a • Glass exit temperature
glass dryer, the considerations are:-
Taking these factors into account, the dryer is specified utilizing a combination of the following modules:-
Hot air/IR module
IR Hot Air Modules
The construction of these High Temperature dryers is attached to provide cool air. The hot air is delivered
completely different from standard units, with extra onto the glass through a pattern of special nozzles in
insulation layers and air gaps required to keep the removable galvanised steel jet plates located in the
external surfaces cool, even though it can be over hood. This system ensures that an even temperature
200°C inside the dryer. The air recirculation system and drying efficiency is achieved all over the glass
uses a different principle, as the hot air needs to surface.
be retained in a specially insulated, inner ducting
system that has additional insulation layers. The inclusion of IR drying does not extend the length
of the dryer, as the IR lamp system is incorporated
The air is recirculated by being drawn down through within the 2m hot air module. The medium wave IR
the belt into the top of a high efficiency, stainless lamps are located in vented stainless steel reflectors,
steel ‘hot box’ in which the impeller of the special that are positioned within the forced air, recessed
fan rotates to force the air through the fast response into special jet plates. Each reflector can accept
electrical heating elements. The air is then forced 2 IR lamps with a maximum of 16 lamps in each
up through the stainless steel ductwork into the triple 2m hot air module. The lamps are selected in
skinned hood. alternate banks to give half or full power operation
as standard, or can have an optional thyristor drive
The recirculation fans are a special type with an fitted to give control of the lamps on a percentage
external bearing arrangement, these are vee belt basis.
driven via separate motors that have ducting systems
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3. Air Force IR Glass Dryers
Extraction Modules
To ensure safe and efficient operation, all gases ducting is provided within the heating modules,
emitted from the ink during the drying process or alternatively a separate evaporation/extraction
are extracted from the dryer, internal extraction module can be included.
Cooling Modules
The required exit temperature of the glass deter- connected to an external chiller plant by flexible
mines the type and number of cooling modules pipework. Water is cooled by the chiller plant as
PTFE Coated fibre glass needed. Natgraph’s unique, double sided cooling required to maintain a controlled air temperature
mesh belt system uses either ambient or refrigerated air. The within the module. The chiller plant requires a
refrigerated air modules recirculate the air through separate electrical power supply, but is controlled
an internal cooling coil (with air filter), that is from the dryers PLC system.
Transport Systems
Flat glass to be screenprinted can typically vary in the minimum glass size. These systems support the
thickness from 0.6mm to 24mm, with sizes from glass with the minimum of contact to maintain the
10cm to 3m wide, weighing up to 500kgs per dryer’s efficiency of heating and cooling. In the
piece, therefore the transportation for each applica- case of refrigerated cooling, the transport system is
Tube transport system in tion may require a specific conveyor system. Vari- assembled in 2 sections, split in the 1m Extraction
changeover module able speed, P.T.F.E. coated, fibre glass mesh belts Module, this separates the hot conveyor from the
are the most common and economical solution. refrigerated one thereby increasing the efficiency
of the dryer.
If very large, heavy glass is to be reliably transport-
ed, a driven chain/bar system or driven rollers will These dryers require a three phase power supply.
be required, the choice of which will depend upon
Options
Inlet Filter
Heavy duty bar transport An optional Inlet Filter stack can be fitted to each unit, with a filter rating of EU4 (4 microns) and has
system dedicated air inlet to ensure that the air being been designed to maintain air efficiency for the
drawn into the dryer is free of dirt and dust. This dryer, whilst preventing contamination.
freestanding filter stack has a replaceable, slide in
Thyristor Drives
An optional Thyristor Drive can be fitted to control the IR can be critical, or are unknown. The Thyris-
the output of the IR lamps on a percentage basis, tor is controlled by the Touch Screen PLC Control
this system can be very useful when the effects of System with a digital output.
Inverter Drives for Fan Motors
An optional Inverter Drive can be fitted to control at high speed in the same dryer to be used for
the air speed at the glass surface, this can be use- thicker, conventional ceramic inks.
Inlet Air Filter Stacks ful when very thin, or metallic inks are to be dried
EQUIPMENT SOLUTIONS
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4. Specifications
Air Force IR Glass Dryers
The following specifications are common to all Air Force Dryers
Belt Height 98– 113cm (38 - 44”) Adjustable by the dryer’s feet, higher options available.
Belt Speed 1 – 10m per minute (3’ – 30’) Other speeds are available to order.
Module Height Model 90 – 170 = 142cm – 157cm (56 – 62”) Adjustable by the dryer’s feet.
Model 225 = 144cm (57”). Models 260 & 300 = 151cm (60”) minimum.
Module Length 2m (79”)
Voltage Three Phase 400 Volts 50/60 Hz. AC
These figures apply to individual model sizes.
Model No. 90 130 155 170 225 260 300
Belt/Drying/Curing Width 90cm (36”) 130cm (51”) 155cm (61”) 170cm (67”) 225cm (89”) 260cm (102”) 300cm (118”)
Module Width 240cm (95”) 280cm (111”) 305cm (120”) 320cm (126”) 415cm (164”) 448.5cm (177”) 488.5cm (193”)
(Weights can be confirmed by Natgraph depending upon the size/type and number of modules used.)
Electrical
Module Type 2m, IR medium pressure hot (160°C maximum), air modules
Model No. 90 130 155 170 225 260 300
Heating Elements 30kW 36kW 36kW 42kW 42kW 72kW 72kW
Current (Max. Amps) 44 52 52 60 60 104 104
Infra Red Lamps (16) 26.4kW 38.4kW 44.8kW 48kW 64kW 75.2kW 75.2kW
Current (Max. Amps) 38 55.5 65 70 93 108.6 108.6
Motor(s) 3kW 3kW 4kW 5.5kW 8kW 8kW 8kW
Current (Max. Amps) 4.4 4.4 5.7 7.7 11.4 11.4 11.4
Module Type 1m, extraction (change over) modules.
Motor 1.5 1.5 1.5 2.2 3 3 3
Current (Max. Amps) 2.4 2.4 2.4 3.4 4.4 4.4 4.4
Module Type 2m, high pressure cold (ambient), air modules.
Motor(s) 7.4kW 7.4kW 10kW 12kW 13.5kW 13.5kW 13.5kW
Current (Max. Amps) 11.2 11.2 14.5 17 19 19 19
Module Type 2m, high pressure cold (refrigerated), air modules.
Motor(s) 4.4kW 4.4kW 6kW 8kW 8kW 8kW 8kW
Current (Max. Amps) 6.7 6.7 8.8 11.4 11.4 11.4 11.4
External Chiller Unit 13.9kW 13.9kW 18kW 18kW 18kW 18kW 18kW
Current 23 23 31 31 31 31 31
Air Figures are in 1,000m3/hour, per 2m module
Model No. 90 130 155 170 225 260 300
Module Type 2m, high pressure hot (160 °C maximum), air modules
Recirculated Air 4.8 5.5 6.3 7 8.5 11 tbc
Exhaust Air (Adjustable) 0.5 - 1 0.7 – 1.2 0.8 – 1.5 0.8 – 1.5 1-2 1.4 – 2.4 tbc
Module Type 1m, extraction, (change over) modules.
Exhaust Air 1.5 1.5 2 2 tbc tbc tbc
Module Type 2m cold (ambient), air modules.
Intake Air 6 7 7.5 8 10 12 tbc
Exhaust Air 7 8 8 8 12 13 tbc
Module Type 2m, high pressure, cold (refrigerated), air modules.
Re-circulated Air 6 7 7.5 8 10 12 tbc
NOTE: When calculating power supply sizes for Air Force Dryers, add all the motor and heating element currents of the modules involved together to give the final figure. For Air
Force/UV Combinations, add all the motor currents of the modules involved to the lamp current, but do not include the heating elements. This is because a safety interlock ensures
that the air heating elements and UV lamps cannot be used at the same time. The UV lamp currents are calculated with 2 lamps at full power.
Example: Model 110 Air Force Dryer, 2m warm, 2m cold = 26 + 7 + 7 = 40 Amps. Model 110 Air Force UV/Combination Dryer, 2m warm, 2m 2 lamp UV cold = 7 + 60 +7 = 74 Amps.
Typical power consumption of a Model 110 Air Force Dryer, 2m warm, 2m cold, running at 50°C with an ambient temperature of 20°C is 10kW per hour (including all motors), at
average U.K. power costings, this represents a running cost of below 70p per hour.
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05 The manufacturer’s policy is one of continuous improvement and the manufacturer therefore reserves the right to change or modify the design without prior notice. The technical specifications given are therefore for information only.